ACT Party takes aim at 'activist judges', Treaty of Waitangi clauses
The ACT Party in New Zealand has proposed new policies to limit the influence of 'activist judges' and restrict the use of Māori tikanga in legal decisions. The party aims to affirm parliamentary sovereignty and ensure that treaty clauses are not used to create separate legal interpretations.
Why it matters
This policy proposal highlights ongoing tensions regarding constitutional interpretation and the role of indigenous customary law within a Western legal framework.
The ACT Party has released a policy designed to protect core democratic values and property rights, reign in "activist judges" and stop Parliament creating "divisive" Treaty of Waitangi clauses.
"Today's policy is about ensuring New Zealanders can move forward under one law for all with one future together," party leader David Seymour said.
"ACT will add three principles to the Constitution Act, affirming the basic values that Parliament is sovereign, the rule of law is fundamental and all New Zealanders are equal before the law."
Key to the policy is restraining courts from considering Māori tikanga (custom) in decisions.
"Recent Supreme Court decisions have pushed the line further than Parliament ever legislated," Seymour said.
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